Hockey stick

ABSTRACT

A hockey stick that is configured with a shaft that facilitates an ability for a user to place substantially the entire length of the shaft flat on an ice surface. The hockey stick of the present invention includes a shaft having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The shaft is contiguously formed with a blade portion proximate one end of the first portion. The second portion is intermediate the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is distally located to the blade portion and is angularly oriented with the first portion. The third portion is contiguously formed with the second portion distal to the first portion. The angular orientation of the second portion provides a position of the third portion such that the third portion is in an offset parallel plane with the first portion of the shaft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hockey sticks, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a hockey stick that has a shaft design having a first portion and a second portion that are parallel so as to facilitate the ability for the first portion to be placed completely on an ice rink surface during use.

BACKGROUND

Millions of individuals regularly play ice hockey either as a recreational pastime or professionally. Ice hockey is a very popular sport in North America. As is known in the art ice hockey is a team sport wherein each team fields players that play in the following positions: defensemen, right wing, left wing, center and goalie. As the game proceeds various players get involved in both offensive and defensive maneuvers and plays. All hockey players utilize the conventional hockey stick to play the game and engage the hockey puck. The conventional hockey stick has a straight shaft and a curved blade wherein the blade is utilized to engage the hockey puck

A standard hockey stick consists of a shaft integrally formed with a blade wherein the shaft is a straight portion along the entire length thereof. The players that engage in defensive plays attempt to block the hockey puck from traveling in the direction of their goal so as to avoid a point being scored. During these defensive maneuvers, a player will utilize the hockey stick to block an oncoming hockey puck. One problem with the conventional straight shaft of the existing hockey stick is the inability for a player to place the entire shaft on the ice surface. As a player is holding the shaft, their gloved hand at the end of the shaft distal to the blade results in a gap between the upper portion of the shaft and the ice that a hockey puck can pass through which limits an ability to potentially make a defensive play.

Accordingly, there is a need for a hockey stick wherein the hockey stick is designed so as to facilitate the placement of a substantial portion thereof flat onto the ice surface enabling a player to block a hockey puck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick having a shaft that allows a substantial portion thereof to be placed flat on the ice surface wherein the shaft of the hockey stick of the present invention includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey stick that enables an improved ability to make a defensive play wherein the first portion is contiguous with the blade and extends upward therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hockey stick having a shaft that allows a substantial portion thereof to be placed flat on the ice surface wherein the third portion is located at the end of the shaft distal to the blade and is offset from the first portion and being parallel therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey stick that enables an improved ability to make a defensive play wherein the third portion and the first portion are operably coupled with the second portion which is angular in orientation between the first portion and third portion.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hockey stick having a shaft that allows a substantial portion thereof to be placed flat on the ice surface wherein one embodiment of the present invention provides a shaft having a contiguously formed first portion, second portion and third portion.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a hockey stick that enables an improved ability to make a defensive play wherein an alternative embodiment provides a second portion and third portion that are configured to be coupled to a conventional hockey stick.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey stick having a shaft that allows a substantial portion thereof to be placed flat on the ice surface wherein the present invention is manufactured from a lightweight rigid material.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention that can be operably coupled to a hockey stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a hockey stick 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to Figures submitted as a part hereof, the hockey stick 100 includes a blade portion 10 and a shaft 20. The blade portion 10 is a conventionally shaped blade being curved in manner and operable to engage a hockey puck. The blade portion 10 is contiguously formed with the shaft 20. The shaft 20 is comprised of a contiguously formed first portion 25, second portion 30 and third portion 35. The shaft 20 is formed utilizing suitable techniques and is manufactured from a suitable lightweight rigid material. The first portion 25 includes first end 26 and second end 27 wherein first end 26 is adjacent to the blade portion 10 and the second end 27 is distally located thereto. The first portion 25 comprises the majority of the length of the shaft 20. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first portion 25 could be provided within the lengths of thirty-one inches to fifty-two inches. While a suggested range for the first portion 25 is disclosed herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first portion 25 could be provided in alternate lengths.

Contiguously formed with the first portion 25 proximate the second end 27 thereof is the second portion 30. The second portion 30 is angularly oriented with the first portion 25. While no particularly angular orientation is required, good results have been achieved utilizing an angle between twenty and forty degrees. The angular orientation of the second portion 30 allows the first portion 25 to be placed on the ice surface so as the entire length of the first portion 25 between the first end 26 and second end 27 engages the ice surface and is flat thereon. The angular orientation of the second portion 30 provides an offset third portion 35 wherein the third portion 35 is oriented in a parallel plane with the first portion 25 allowing a user of the hockey stick 100 to grasp the third portion 35 and position the first portion 25 on the ice surface as described herein. While no particular length of the second portion 30 is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a length of approximately four inches for the second portion 30.

The third portion 35 is contiguously formed with the second portion 30 and as discussed herein is oriented in a parallel plane with the first portion 25. The third portion 35 has a length of approximately five inches so as to have sufficient length to enable a user to grasp the third portion 35 with a gloved hand. The offset parallel plane orientation of the third portion 35 with the first portion 25 as discussed facilitates the ability for a player to place the first portion 25 completely flat on the ice surface along the entire length thereof.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1 , an alternative embodiment of the hockey stick 100 is illustrated therein. In FIG. 1 , the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as a portion that could be operably coupled to an existing hockey stick. The handle portion 200 includes a second portion 230 formed like the second portion 30 and further includes a third portion 235 that is formed like the third portion 35. The handle portion 200 includes an insert 240 wherein the insert could be journaled into a hockey stick having a mateable aperture or passage that would facilitate the mechanical coupling of the handle portion 200 to a conventional hockey stick so as to provide the advantages of the present invention as discussed herein. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the handle portion 200 could be provided in various lengths. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that additional elements could be employed to secure the handle portion 200 in addition to and/or in conjunction with the insert 240.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hockey stick comprising: a blade portion, said blade portion being curved in manner; a shaft, said shaft having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, said first portion, said second portion and said third portion being contiguously formed, said first portion being adjacent said blade portion, said second portion being intermediate said first portion and said third portion, said second portion being angularly oriented with said first portion; and wherein said first portion and said third portion are oriented in offset parallel planes.
 2. The hockey stick as recited in claim 1, wherein said second portion is approximately four inches in length.
 3. The hockey stick as recited in claim 2, wherein said third portion is approximately five inches in length.
 4. The hockey stick as recited in claim 3, wherein the offset plane of said third portion facilitates an ability to place said first portion flat on a ice surface along an entire length thereof.
 5. The hockey stick as recited in claim 4, wherein said shaft is provided in a length ranging from thirty-one inches to fifty-two inches.
 6. The hockey stick as recited in claim 5, wherein the shaft is manufactured from a lightweight rigid material.
 7. A hockey stick handle portion configured to be coupled to a hockey stick wherein the hockey stick handle portion comprises: a body, said body having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion being angularly oriented with said first portion, said second portion having a first end and a second end, said second end of said second portion being adjacent said first portion, said first end of said second portion distally located from said first portion; and an insert, said insert being contiguously formed with said second portion proximate said second end thereof, said insert having a diameter that is less than that of a diameter of said second portion, wherein said insert is configured to be mateably inserted into a shaft of a conventional hockey stick.
 8. The hockey stick handle portion configured to be coupled to a hockey stick as recited in claim 7, wherein the first portion of the handle portion is oriented in an offset parallel plane with a shaft of the conventional hockey stick subsequent the handle portion being operably coupled thereto.
 9. A hockey stick configured to facilitate a substantial portion thereof to be placed flat on an ice surface wherein the hockey stick comprises: a blade portion, said blade portion being curved in manner; a shaft, said shaft having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, said first portion, said second portion and said third portion being contiguously formed, said first portion having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first portion being adjacent said blade portion, said second end of said first portion being adjacent said second portion, said second portion being intermediate said first portion and said third portion, said second portion being angularly oriented with said first portion; and wherein said first portion and said third portion are oriented in offset parallel planes so as to facilitate an ability to place the first portion flat on an ice surface along an entire length thereof intermediate said first end and said second end of said first portion.
 10. The hockey stick as recited in claim 9, wherein said second portion is angularly oriented with said first portion within a range of approximately twenty to forty degrees. 